Proximate Analysis and Mineral Composition of Peels of Three Sweet Cassava Cultivars

The nutrient yields from three different peels of sweet cassava cultivars (Manihot esculenta Crantz) from three local government areas of Otukpo, Apa and Ushongo in Benue State were investigated. These cultivars include; TMS 98/0581, TMS 98/0505, and TMS 98/0524. The proximate analysis and mineral contents were determined according to the method of A.O.A.C. (1990) and triple acid digestion respectively. The results of the proximate analysis of the peels reveal the various ranges of values (69.03 -72.00) %, (85.97 – 89.32) %, (1.06 -3.55) %, (0.40 -1.33) %, (5.44 -8.63) % and (1.28 -4.05) % of moisture, dry matter, crude protein, fat, crude fiber and ash content respectively. Altogether the three cultivars have an appreciable high value of carbohydrates with the highest value (73.07 -77.28) % found in TMS 98/0524 while TMS 98/0505 has the lowest value (69.35 -74.64) %. The mineral contents show ranges of (9.90 -19.81) mg/100 g, (7.86 -14.21) mg/100 g, (70.72 -123.98) mg/100 g, (7.04 -17.38) mg/100 g, (5.16 -7.57) mg/100 g for Ca, Mg, K, Na and Zn respectively for the various varieties of the local Government areas. The outcome of the three cassava cultivar showed that cassava peels contained some nutrients. These peels which are presently disposed as environmental waste can be modified and used as animal feed. The codes (TMS) are depicting characteristic espoused from the international plants as Tropical Manihot Specie.